In case you were wondering, there are criteria that you have to meet in order to gain promotions. If you ever want to get past crewman or ensign you need to demonstrate potential - not just in terms of your character, but your posting ability as well.

Listed below are the different ways you can show your superiors that you deserve promotion.

Enlisted Rank Promotions:Promotion up the enlisted rates is quicker than the commissioned rank structure, however, once you reach Senior Crewman, it starts to become more competitive. You will really need to shown you deserve promotion after this point.

All new players who choose the enlisted route begin as a Crewman Recruit. After one week of active posting, they are promoted to the rank of Crewman Apprentice when they officially become an enlisted member of Shadow Fleet. Promotions after this point are pretty much made on a time-served basis, differing only slightly, depending on each person's performance. As long the player doesn't do anything that might jeopardize promotion, they will eventually make it to Senior Crewman based on their posts.

Promotion to the rate of Petty Officer Third Class and above is more difficult. Players will need to compete against others holding the same rate as ships or stations may only have a certain number of each rank (past PO3) on the roster. Attaining the rate of Petty Officer Third Class also permits a player to apply for the Officer Training Course at Shadow Fleet Academy.

For those personnel who wish to progress through the enlisted rates, there is also the option of attending the Enlisted Persons Course (EPC). The EPC is there to allow enlisted crew members to take a shortened version of the academy officers course, and be accelerated up the enlisted rank structure, depending on the final grade. The only restriction is that you must hold the minimum rate of Petty Officer Third Class to begin the course along with a recommendation from your Commanding Officer. Note that completion of the EPC is required for those wishing to progress past this point. If you are interested in taking the EPC, head along to the Shadow Fleet Academy for more information.

If you are an enlisted person wanting to apply for commissioned service, you must wait until the next Commissioned Officer Recruiting Period (CORP) and apply via a request submitted to your Commanding Officer. A CORP usually occurs once every quarter (3 months) but may occur more frequently if there are more officer positions that need filling, or less frequently if the number of available officer positions is limited.

Cadet Promotions:All new players who choose the commissioned route begin as a Cadet I. Upon reaching 50 posts they are promoted to Cadet II and given their ID Card. Cadets are monitored by their respective departments academy tutor and upon reaching 200 posts, are given their OTC exam to become an Ensign.

Junior Commissioned Officer Promotions:To bring it into line with current military practice, commissioned promotions up the junior ranks (Ensign to Lieutenant) are based on posts. This does not necessarily mean they are awarded automatically on reaching a certain post count, as promotions are ultimately at the Commanding Officer's discretion, but it does mean most people will reach the rank of Lieutenant given time. Promotions after this point are based on merit.

From a Commanding Officer's point of view, promotions to the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) may be made at any time provided a player has met the minimum promotion criteria. Promotions to the rank of Lieutenant and above require prior approval from the Head of Fleet Operations or Fleet Commanding Officer if the post of HoFO is vacant.

Senior Commissioned Officer Promotions:Promotion up the senior commissioned ranks - Lieutenant Commander and above - is slower than the junior or enlisted rank structure, as higher standards are expected of you. Promotion past the rank of Lieutenant is based on merit and personal contribution to the SIMM.

Promotions to the rank of Lieutenant Commander will only be made if there is a department head or first officer position available for the officer to assume. No Lieutenant Commander will be appointed as simply a department officer.

Promotion to Command Level Officer status will only occur after careful assessment of a player's activity and overall contribution to their SIMM. As a position of First Officer comes with increased moderator privileges we need to ensure that only reliable and trustworthy players are awarded this right. In return for these enhanced powers and increased responsibility on the forum, Command Level Officers are continually assessed by the Head of Fleet Operations. Therefore, there is a lot of pressure on Command Level Officers to perform at the level required of them and it is no easy job.

If you have any further questions regarding promotion in Shadow Fleet, contact your commanding officer.

Promotions up to Senior Crewman should be automatic, providing a player does nothing to jeopardize them. Once a player reaches the enlisted rate of Petty Officer Third Class, things start to become more difficult and once the rate of Petty Officer Third Class is reached, the Enlisted Persons Course must be passed before promotion to Petty Officer Second Class occurs. See also: Senior Enlisted Commanders.

Rank

Criteria

Crewman Apprentice

25 Posts+1 week active posting

Crewman

Post count of 100+.

Petty Officer Third Class

Post count of 200+.

Petty Officer Second Class

Completed the Enlisted Persons Course, Post count of 300+.

Petty Officer First Class

Post count of 400+.

Chief Petty Officer

Post count of 550+, actively contributing in and out of missions, Excellent S&G, Interview panel.

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Post count of 650+, perfect S&G.

Master Chief Petty Officer

Post count of 850+, assists other players in the SIMM, Perfect S&G.

Commissioned Officer Promotions

Promotions up to Lieutenant are usually automatic, providing a player does nothing to jeopardize them. However, this is entirely at the Academy Tutor's and Commanding Officer's discretion. Promotion past Lieutenant is based on merit, posting standard and overall contribution to the SIMM. In order to be promoted to Commander and/or be appointed to a command position, a player must first complete the Command Officer Training Course (COTC).

Rank

Criteria

Lieutenant (Junior Grade)

Post count of 300+.

Lieutenant

Post count of 400+. & 2 Months at Lt JG

Lieutenant Commander

Post count of 550+, 3 Months as a Lt & contributing out of missions, Must complete the COTC unless you are a CMO.

Commander

Post count of 750+, First Officer/Chief Medical Officer only, Appointments made by the Admiralty.

Captain

Promotion to Captain is at the discretion of the Head of Fleet Operations, in consultation with the Fleet Commanding Officer, and will only be made after careful review of activity levels, posting frequency and overall contribution to their SIMM.

Rear Admiral (Lower Half) and above

Promotion to Flag Officer rank is made by the Fleet Commanding Officer in consultation with the Fleet Admiralty. Only exceptional players, will reach this position. All admiralty promotions are subject to a three month probationary period.

The Criteria can be overruled on a case by case basis, or the Player has been selected for Fast Track.